QFF for Dummies

[Leumas]

In economy, regardless if it's CX or QF, both will not be fun. As suggested, I'd pick flights based on timing, schedule and your ability to sleep in a sardine can. If both of you are tall, you may have a case for an exit row seat, but don't hinge any hope on it. By all means, ask, but don't take it for granted.

In the old days, I'd pick CX based on its better service, but it's since gone downhill, so there's little difference.

Now (and I may be wrong on this), CX economy doesn't have on-demand entertainment systems, but QF does (on most 744s)?

 

[Dave Noble]

I would take CX to HKG and QF back since that way both sectors can nicely be done on daytime flights

Dave

 

[SilenceFOOL!]

In economy, regardless if it's CX or QF, both will not be fun. As suggested, I'd pick flights based on timing, schedule and your ability to sleep in a sardine can. If both of you are tall, you may have a case for an exit row seat, but don't hinge any hope on it. By all means, ask, but don't take it for granted.

I was under the impression exit rows on these 'bigger' planes weren't actually worth getting 1) because leg room is reduced due to the door and 2) seat width due to the AVOD being in arm? Is that not correct? Exit rows ARE still a good option?
We are 5'10" and 6'2" respectively and the gentleman is a cuddly 95kgs so any extra room would be very agreeable!

On domestic flights I have only once not been given exit aisle. Clever, eh?

 

[JohnK]

I was under the impression exit rows on these 'bigger' planes weren't actually worth getting 1) because leg room is reduced due to the door and 2) seat width due to the AVOD being in arm? Is that not correct? Exit rows ARE still a good option?

Exit rows are good if you can get them. I sat in window exit row last week on a 744, only a short 1 hour sector, and while leg room is slightly impeded by exit door it is still OK. Aisle seat would be great. I don't think it makes much difference, unless you are really wide, that the tray table and IFE is in the armrests.

 

[straitman]

Exit rows are good if you can get them. I sat in window exit row last week on a 744, only a short 1 hour sector, and while leg room is slightly impeded by exit door it is still OK. Aisle seat would be great. I don't think it makes much difference, unless you are really wide, that the tray table and IFE is in the armrests.

Unless you are able to get three or more seats for two people (no guarantees) this has got to be the best way to go. I agree with JohnK that whilst the window restricts leg room to a degree it is still better than other economy seats except the exit aisle seat.

 

[serfty]

I personally would prefer any aisle seat on a 3 class QF 744 to a window exit seat. (46/58 A/K) - that life raft cowling really does impinge on legroom. 46/58 C/H are generally better than almost any other WHY seat.

FWIW, exit window seats on 333's are fine - the cowling bing a lot smaller.

 

[JohnK]

I personally would prefer any aisle seat on a QF 744 to a window exit seat. (46/58 A/K)....

Note 29ABC are also exit row seats on 2 class 744s. I have sat in this row and it appears to be a OK.

My preference is aisle, to be as close as possible to the front of economy and even better if allocated either a bulkhead or exit row seat. But I would even take a window exit row seat to avoid the possibility of being stuck behind a serial/chronic recliner for a long haul flight such as LHR-HKG or MEL-LAX.

Speaking of which I still have 35D allocated for LHR-HKG, couldn't get row 34, and I am seriously considering putting in a request for exit row. No guarantees I will get exit row although flight seems to have light load right now.

 

[straitman]

Speaking of which I still have 35D allocated for LHR-HKG, couldn't get row 34, and I am seriously considering putting in a request for exit row. No guarantees I will get exit row although flight seems to have light load right now.

JohnK,

I'd definately ask. I've been 100% successful with this request since making WP.

 

[JohnK]

I'd definately ask. I've been 100% successful with this request since making WP.

You are probably right. There does not appear to be too much difference from row 35 to row 46 but there is a great difference from row 35 to row 58. Not sure I want to be down as far as row 58 as the few times I have been down there it resembles a war zone. :shock:

How long is the LHR-HKG flight? Over 10 hours? If I put the request in to QF to change to exit row how long would it take to process? A few days?

 

[straitman]

You are probably right. There does not appear to be too much difference from row 35 to row 46 but there is a great difference from row 35 to row 58. Not sure I want to be down as far as row 58 as the few times I have been down there it resembles a war zone. :shock:

How long is the LHR-HKG flight? Over 10 hours? If I put the request in to QF to change to exit row how long would it take to process? A few days?

You may only find out when you checkin unfortunately. Other times it's appeared as my seat when I check back on the QF web site.

It's worth asking though.

 

[Dave Noble]

How long is the LHR-HKG flight? Over 10 hours? If I put the request in to QF to change to exit row how long would it take to process? A few days?

A few hours as a rule, sometimes overnight.

Dave

 

[JohnK]

A few hours as a rule, sometimes overnight.

Wow, that quick! Thanks.

 

[Mal]

Wow, that quick! Thanks.

Yeah for a Plat, you are often told that it could take 24 hours or so for seating to look at the request. Truth be told, it often comes through in a couple of hours. Best result is when the CSA puts you on hold and speaks to seating straight away (if they're available and answering the phone ). Then it is sometimes confirmed on the spot.

 

[serfty]

Here the serfty WP primer for requesting exit row aisle seat preallocation, blocked seating and use thereof:

Firstly, call Qantas and put in a request for an exit row aisle seat.

Call the premium desk! Do this by calling the WP 13.... phone line Mon-Fri 9:30am-4:00pm AEST and entering your WP FF Number - The run of the mill agents that you generally get otherwise are often not aware this can be donewith exit row seats for WP's and give you some fluff about "only can be done on checkin".

Make sure you relay your need as a "request" - something along the lines of "If any are available, I would like to have a request for an Exit Row Aisle seat put in for me ...". This saves time by letting the premium agent be know you are aware it's a request that needs to be submitted - they then do not have to correct or tell you this.

As you are a WP your request should be granted within a few 'business' hours; you should see it on www.checkmytrip.com.

Next keep an eye on loadings for your flights. If the deep discounts stay mainly 9's up until the day of the flight it means the flight is very lightly loaded and you should be able request a row of three seats on check-in. (Three is easier to defend than four :-| ). Get an Aisle C or H seat with the A/B or J/K seats blocked - it's easier to defend your three seats from the aisle postion rather than the window.

Note that when travelling on an exit row aisle seat on a Qantas 744; while there is a lot of space in front of you, if the seat beside you is taken, there is nowhere to put anything other than the floor. I take a stiff shopping bag that folds up in my carryon (e.g. the 'Green' bags you can buy at Supermarkets for $1) and use it to put my books, CD's and anything else I frequently need when travelling such long distances; keeping it between my feet. It also make a good buffer to help prevent people queuing for the toilets from treading on your feet.

 

[Lonely Flyer]

a) newer (infact the common thread I have come across on other websites re: Qs 747/767 ageing fleet is that they're rubbish and about to fall apart! ),

I am surprised this went through to the keeper

I would think a bit of overstatement. Certainly they need to fly until all 380 are delivered. Even then need for capacity will extend their lives. I have not seen many bits falling off.

 

[Evan]

A few of 767's are feeling a bit old (need interior refit), but the 744's look better, especially the ones purchased 2002/2003 the 747-400ER's 6 of them. Avg age of the
747 fleet is 14.2 years
767 fleet is 14.8 years

QF will need the 747's for a long while yet, the question is what will replace them, there is 35 747's in the fleet and 20 A380's on order, maybe 787-900's ? will sort of fill the gap... who knows, its all speculation at the moment, even QF havn't decided. (See the post on shareholder meeting)

When the the extra A330's arrive ? can't be far away i wouldn't have thought.

E

 

[JohnK]

Here the serfty WP primer for requesting exit row aisle seat preallocation, blocked seating and use thereof:

I called the premium number and requested an exit row aisle seat in row 46. I got the usual spiel about it not happening until checkin as they have to sight you first.

Time to wait and see what eventuates....

 

[Dave Noble]

I called the premium number and requested an exit row aisle seat in row 46. I got the usual spiel about it not happening until checkin as they have to sight you first.

Time to wait and see what eventuates....

Just phone back. Make sure that the person answering says "Premium Desk" ; if you end up routing to a regular agent, you may well get the rubbish about no pre-allocation. If you get to a Premium Agent , you'll be fine

Dave

 

[d15.in.oz]

Make sure that the person answering says "Premium Desk" ...

...or "Qantas priority"

 

[Shano]

I called the premium number and requested an exit row aisle seat in row 46. I got the usual spiel about it not happening until checkin as they have to sight you first.

Time to wait and see what eventuates....

That has been the same experience that I have had on the last two occassions I have requested an exit row seat (in the last month or so). Prior to that I have had no trouble at all and the request cleared in the timeframe indicated in some of these posts.

Made me think that there had been a rule change, but based on evidence from others this is not the case.

Good luck.